U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.8 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Support Construction Trades Workforce Development Efforts in Miami, Florida

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.8 million grant to Miami Dade College, Miami, Florida, to fund the renovation of an existing campus building to house the new Construction Trade Institute. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This EDA investment will support the construction of a facility that will bolster Miami Dade College’s capacity to train and prepare students for good-paying jobs in construction and related fields. This investment will be matched with more than $450,000 in local funds and is expected to support the training of 120 students a year, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden’s American Rescue Plan offers direct relief to communities to build a better America from the coronavirus pandemic,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA investment in Miami Dade College will facilitate hands-on training for a variety of trades in a modern, innovative new space, allowing for the expansion of the region’s workforce to create new economic opportunity and jobs for local citizens.”

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting local economic development strategies designed to boost regional economic growth and resiliency,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will enhance Miami Dade College’s workforce training and development efforts, providing the hands-on training and certification that students need to secure quality jobs.”

“Miami-Dade College is a fundamental part of the local educational landscape, connecting South Floridians of every age with opportunities to earn a degree, certificates, and gain the skills needed to excel in a fast-paced economy,” said Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-24). “Especially now, when our workforce is demanding more skilled trade workers, this investment will create stable jobs and careers that Floridians and their families can rely on. This announcement is one more example of how the Biden administration is working across the country and investing in a future for every American worker – regardless of their background, educational experience, or industry.”

This project is funded under EDA’s American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance program, which makes $500 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance grants available to American communities. The Economic Adjustment Assistance program is EDA’s most flexible program, and grants made under this program will help hundreds of communities across the nation plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through construction or non-construction projects designed to meet local needs. Effective May 26, 2022, EDA has officially closed all of its American Rescue Plan programs for applications. The $3 billion program funding will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30, 2022.

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the South Florida Regional Planning Council. EDA funds the South Florida Regional Planning Council to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment, and create jobs.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.